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04/18/2003LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER April 18, 2003 Present: Judy Melges Chair Tom Leavy Vice Chair Howard Adler Board Member Frederick Dunn Board Member Absent: Glenn Garte Board Member Katherine Merriam Board Member Vacant Position Board Member Also Present: John Szabo Library Director Susan Doel Administrative Analyst Chair Judy Melges called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 – Welcome Chair Melges announced that Jan Regulski was appointed by the City Commission to fill the position vacated by Rhonda Smith. Mrs. Regulski will begin her term with the May, 2003 meeting. ITEM #2 – Minutes Member Howard Adler moved to approve the minutes of the March 21, 2003 meeting as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #3 – Library Director’s Report Main Library Project Update Library Director John Szabo reported sections of the grand stair are being installed. Roofing materials are awaiting installation upon completion of the stucco now in progress. Masonry, ductwork and air handlers are near completion. Interior framing on floors 1, 2, and 3 is almost completed with floor 4 in progress. Born-to-Read – Library Cards A decision has been made to issue free library cards to Born-to-Read clients who live in communities in Pinellas County that do not participate in the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative. The estimated impact on Clearwater is minimal, likely less than ten cards. Local History Database – PPLC Grant Clearwater was the leader among four area libraries in writing a grant for $33,000 to Pinellas Public Library Cooperative to build a digital database of historical materials about Pinellas County. Clearwater will receive a small sum for managing the grant for the four public libraries: St. Petersburg, Largo, Tarpon Springs, and Clearwater. Literacy Grant – Sam’s Club Foundation Clearwater received a $1,000 grant for literacy from Sam’s Club Foundation. Software aimed at English as a second language for Spanish-speaking individuals will be purchased. North Greenwood Branch Library – Civic Beauty Award The Clearwater Garden Club honored the North Greenwood Branch Library with their semi-annual Civic Beauty Award which will be on display for the next six months. ITEM #4 – Unfinished Business State Library of Florida Issue – Update Mr. Szabo reported both the Senate and House came to terms regarding the funding of almost all of the State Library positions the Governor had proposed to cut. Both the Senate and House refused to fund moving the State Library collection to Nova Southeastern University. The Florida Library Association continues to closely monitor the issue. In his role as Vice President/President-Elect of the Florida Library Association, Mr. Szabo has been directly involved in the State Library issue. At the Florida Library Association Conference next week in Orlando, Mr. Szabo will take office as President of the Florida Library Association. ITEM #5 – New Business Nomination of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson for 2003/2004 Chair Melges opened the floor to accept nominations for the offices of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Member Adler nominated Chair Melges and Vice Chair Tom Leavy for Chair and Vice Chair respectively for the coming year. With no further nominations from the floor, nominations were closed. Member Adler moved that the aforesaid nominees be accepted by acclamation. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Mr. Szabo reminded the Board of the importance of following the Sunshine Law in situations where two or more Board members present may not discuss matters which may come before the Board. Due to the absence of three Board members from this meeting, this subject will be placed on next month’s agenda for review. ITEM #6 – Reports Foundation Chair Melges announced that tickets are still available for the special event at the Fresh Market on Tuesday, May 6. All proceeds will benefit the Main Library Capital Campaign. Friends Mr. Szabo reported the Friends installed new officers at the Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Tea on April 6. The Friends are funding a special library event featuring world-renowned poet Nikki Giovanni at 7:00 p.m. on April 24 at the East Library. ITEM #7 – Board Comments Member Adler asked that volunteers be considered to provide assistance at the information desk from time to time. Mr. Szabo stressed the importance of a professional librarian on the desk at all times assisting patrons, noting that the reference interview conducted sometimes reveals a much more detailed request. In response to Member Adler’s comment that patrons are not aware of the available databases in our system, Mr. Szabo noted that promotional materials have been prepared for patrons. Member Adler suggested Board members be given assignments to work on related to internal library matters for reporting back to the Board. Mr. Szabo cautioned against Board members taking problems directly to staff members and emphasized the importance of bringing such concerns directly to the Board. At that time Mr. Szabo can address whether an issue needs staff review. Mr. Szabo was in favor of Board members meeting with staff to learn more about internal library services. Vice Chair Leavy expressed concern about the inferior quality of bindings on library materials. Mr. Szabo noted that some children’s materials do have library bindings, but as a general rule, most adult materials purchased are not available with library binding. Mr. Szabo commented that book making materials and processes are inferior compared to previous decades and even centuries. ITEM #8 – Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m.